_Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness_ ASAYRIA AND JUDAH Such (Isaiah 31:8) will be the ignominious end of the proud battalions of Assyria. For Judah a happier future immediately begins. There should be no break between the two Chapter s. The representation which follows (Isaiah 32:1) is th... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind_ A HIDING-PLACE FROM THE WIND In the East, the following phenomenon is often observed. Where the desert touches a river, valley, or oasis, the sand is in a continual state of drift from the wind, and it is this drift which is the real cause of the b... [ Continue Reading ]
_The eyes of them that see shall not be dim_ FOUR TESTS OF CHARACTER The whole of this chapter refers to the state of the world during the time of the millennium. The happiness which shall be the lot of God’s children in that period will be only an increase of our present state of happiness and h... [ Continue Reading ]
_The vile person shall be no more called liberal_ VILE PERSON (Hebrews, _nabal_):--Compare 1 Samuel 25:1. (_A. B.Davidson, LL. D._) THE CONVENTIONAL ABUSE OF MORAL TERMS “Liberal” and “bountiful” were conventional names. The Hebrew word for “liberal” originally meant exactly that--open-hearted,... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the vile person will speak villany_ THE OUTER LIFE ACCORDING TO THE INNER A vile person and a churl will do mischief; and the more if he be preferred, and have power in his hand. His honours will make him worse, and not better. See the character of these base, ill-conditioned men. 1. They a... [ Continue Reading ]
_The liberal deviseth liberal things_ LIBERALITY, NATURAL AND GRACIOUS The liberal man is one who is generous and benevolent in his feelings--a man of large views and public spirit--one far above covetousness and selfseeking--ever desirous to promote the welfare of his country, and the best intere... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rise up, ye women, that are at ease_ FEMALE COMPLACENCY REPROVED Isaiah turns aside abruptly from his main theme. His eye, we may suppose, was arrested by the spectacle of some women, sitting down perhaps at a little distance from where he stood, and testifying their indifference to his words. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be troubled, ye careless ones_ BESETTING SINS MAY BE THE DEFECTS OF VIRTUES The besetting sins of either sex are its virtues prostituted. A man’s greatest temptations proceed from his strength; but the glory of the feminine nature is repose, and trust is the strength of the feminine character, i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers_ THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT As the communication of the Spirit is necessary to produce a reformation, so a large communication or outpouring of the Spirit is necessary to produce a public general reformation; such as may save a country... [ Continue Reading ]
_Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high_ SPIRITUAL INFLUENCES I. THERE IS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY, THE BESTOWMENT OF SPIRITUAL INFLUENCES ON MANKIND. 1. In what manner is the Spirit poured from on high? It cannot but be expected that there must be not a little of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the work of righteousness shall be peace_ THE TRUE WORK OF LIFE I. THE NATURE OF TRUE LIFE WORK--the work of righteousness. What is righteous work? 1. Working by right law. God has established a law to regulate all action and motion throughout His empire. What is the law by which mind is to... [ Continue Reading ]
_My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation_ THE SAFETY OF BELIEVERS IN TIME OF JUDGMENT I. CONTEMPLATE THE COMING JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD. II. CONSIDER THE BLESSED PROMISES MADE TO HIS SEEKING PEOPLE. III. THE PERIOD WHEN THESE PROMISES SHALL HAVE THEIR FULFILMENT. Read the first verse of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters_ TIMES OF PEACE SHOULD BE IMPROVED The war is now over; Asher has been crushed like a serpent, and this sweet voice is heard when the enemy has been driven out of the land. Understand that times of peace are to be times of cultivation. We are not to be g... [ Continue Reading ]